Hedge Management Old Deer Park Saturday April 14th

A short stretch of hawthorn hedge was planted by the Trust and Tower House School in February 2006 and has now filled out quite nicely. The aim of this month's task was to trim the hedge to allow it to become more bushy so it provides better habitat for birds and other wildlife. Plus, it looks so much better than a bare mown bank. Robinia pseudoacacia suckers that have appeared were also cut back as they were over-shadowing the hedge and literally sucking all the water out of the ground. Robinia, which is native to north  America, is a seriously invasive tree in central Europe (see the Cabi Invasive Species Compendium).
April is a little late for this type of task due to the bird nesting season. Luckily, the only bird we came across was a curious robin. 

This is the hedge in April 2012 

Contrast with the day it was planted by the boys from Tower House School in February 2006

Nick, James and Thomas put their backs into rebuilding the protective fence

The hedge after its short back and sides 

Robinia suckers needed to be cut back 

Robinia seed pods ...

... and thorns 

What team work! 

Cherry blossom at its best 

Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis)

Plus orange tip butterfly

An unlikely place to find asparagus

P.S. Apologies for any confusion over the date of April's event, but Chris took part in the London Marathon on April 22nd in aid of the Stroke Association (http://www.justgiving.com/Chris-Cockel) (Update: completed in 4:04:58 - thanks for all your support).

The next monthly event will be on Saturday May 26th (see the diary to the right for further details).